NORMAN BALL III

NORMAN BALL III

Norman Ball III

DATE OF INDUCTION:
February 16, 2013
COMPETITION TYPE:
Drag Racing
CAREER SPAN:
1981 – Present
BRANDS RACED:
Mercury & Arctic Cat
AGE AT INDUCTION:
62

From his first foray in snowmobile grass drag competition in 1981 until his last race in 1999, Norman Ball III set benchmarks for success and popularity that helped grow a sport and create a legend.

Racing a seemingly-outdated Mercury Sno-Twister in multiple modified classes and assisted by a small crew, Ball paired scrappy intensity with expert tuning to deliver a true underdog success story that captured the hearts and imaginations of all those who watched. As owner, designer, head mechanic and driver, Ball’s all-in approach to competition earned him the respect and admiration of fellow competitors.

Ball garnered 16 Driver of the year honors in SWDRA, plus he captured the Minnesota cup on three occasions, notched nine Minnesota Fast Time titles and was victorious in the Michigan Cup. He was awarded the Best Engineered Sled award at Sno Baron’s Hay Days in 1998. Although the fiery competitor from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin ended his career in 1999 following an injury sustained while racing, he remains active in the sport and currently builds engines for select racers.